Hastings CBD Heritage Inventory Project MEDICAL AND DENTAL CHAMBERS (FORMER) LOCATION: Street and Number: 201 King Street North City / Town: Hastings Region: Hawke s Bay Location Information: Corner of Queen Street and King Street South Photo: P. Huddleston, 2015 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Legal Description: Lot 1 DP 6239 and Pt Lot 2 DP 6239 Certificates of Title (includes registry): CT HB 90/259 and CT HB 113/168, Hawke s Bay Land District Page 1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANCE: HISTORY: Architectural Value: The Dental and Medical Chambers (Former) is an excellent example of the Moderne style of architecture, which was popular during the 1930 s. Moderne architecture is characterized by strong horizontal design emphasis, broad flat surfaces and sweeping corners, all of which are evident in the building. The overall design and detail is consistent and extends to the curtilage of the buildings, where a low wall mirrors the features of the building. The building also shows strong signs of Art Deco influence, including the geometric detail of the stepped parapet and banding around the parapet. The building is in an extremely authentic state, despite significant alterations to the Western corner in 1961 (designed by the architectural practice Davies, Phillips and Chaplin). It was also extensively refurbished in 2002 by businessmen Trevor Paul and Tony Hicks as part of the Hastings District Council Façade Enhancement Scheme, leaving it in very good condition. The Dental and Medical Chambers (Former) is located on a prominent street corner in the Hastings central business district and contrasts with surrounding buildings, which are generally more modern. Cultural Value: The Medical and Dental Chambers occupies a prominent corner site at the edge of the central business area of Hastings. The assured and consistent piece of period design from the 1930s contributes greatly to the streetscape. Historical Value: The building has historical significance as an example of an early clinic or group practice, an aspect of New Zealand s medical and dental history given little attention in written histories to date. It is likely the earliest example of premises of a clinic or group practice in the Hastings area and its historical significance at a local level is enhanced by its association with the aftermath of the 1931 Hawke s Bay earthquake, which along with the anticipated introduction of national health insurance, was a likely influence on the building s inception. Technological Value: The building is technically very well built, using good quality materials, and all details are well designed by the architects. It is a consistent and coherent design, an excellent example of the Moderne style (with Art Deco features) that has been pointed to as one of the city s finest examples in this style. The survival of a high proportion of original fabric enhances its technical value. The building has technological interest for its concrete construction, and for the use of other materials (such as terrazzo), which are not in common use today. The Medical and Dental Chambers (Former) was completed in 1936 for use as a medical and dental group practice and was owned by Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers Limited. The building is situated on land purchased in two parts by the company (in 1934 Page 2
and 1936) from Annie Williams, 1 wife of William Temple Williams, a sheep farmer and a descendant of the famous missionary Williams family. The Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers Limited owned the building until 2002, the year it was struck off the Companies Register, after being declared insolvent in 2000. 2 At the time of construction, group practices were uncommon, particularly when no family ties between practitioners were involved. The records on this building provide little insight into the reasons for the formation of the group practice; however one motivation may have been to provide suitable accommodation for practitioners following the 1931 Hawke s Bay earthquake. In 1936, it is likely that permanent premises were still in demand, due to the slow pace of permanent reconstruction in Hastings in the aftermath of the earthquake. 3 At the time of construction, it was anticipated that the first Labour government would introduce a scheme of national health insurance, providing another possible motivation for the establishment of the building. By the time this had been formalised, Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers had been successfully operating for nine years. The primary use of the chambers since its construction has been dentistry, with over 12 dentists being known to have practised there. These dentists included Ernest R Whyte (c1936-1970), who was a possible shareholder in the company. H A Court Fitzgerald (c1946-1972/3) and Albert E O Meara (c1936-1957) were among those who both practised in and held leases over parts of the building. It appears that only four doctors have practised in the Chambers, each for an average of over 20 years. One of these doctors (and also a possible shareholder in the company) was Dr David Alfred Bathgate (1936-1967), who was a highly valued medical personnel in Hastings. Dr A V Kurta also worked at the chambers (1961-1971 and 1973-1994), who additionally held a role as senior surgeon at Hastings Memorial Hospital. In the latter part of the 20 th century, physiotherapists began to commonly use the Chambers. Recently physiotherapy tenants have included Bay Physiotherapy (1988-1993) and Hastings Physiotherapy Centre (1993-2001/02). Other health professionals that can be identified as having practices in the Chambers include nurses, chiropodists (later known as podiatrists), an optometrist and a masseuse (later known as massage therapists). The building has also been used for purposes other than healthcare such as an office supply company (1963-early 1970s) and a hairdresser (from 2000). It is presently partially vacant and partly tenanted by an Osteopath John Hendrie and National MP Craig Foss. During its history the building has undergone some changes. The most significant alterations were to the western corner of the building in 1961. The modifications, which included the replacement of windows, the addition of a new front entry and the enlargement of the rear entry, were designed by architectural practice Davies, Phillips and Chaplin (formerly Davies and Phillips). 4 Most other changes have been mainly confined to the interior, particularly to surgeries. 5 Businessmen Trevor Paul and Tony Hicks purchased the building in 2002 and were responsible for an extensive refurbishment of the building. 6 In 2007 the building was sold to Donald James Forsyth, Alison Ruth Forsyth and 1 CT HB 23/71 and 23/72, Land Information New Zealand, Hawke s Bay Land District; Companies Office (see www.companies.govt.nz) - Company: 158862 Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers Ltd. 2 CT HB 23/71 and 23/72. 3 Matthew Wright, Hawke s Bay The History of a Province, Dunmore Press Ltd: Palmerston North, 1994, pp.166-168. 4 Plans and Specifications, 1961. Copy held on New Zealand Historic Places Trust file, file no not yet assigned. 5 Permit summary from Hastings District Council (HDC). Copy held on New Zealand Historic Places Trust file, file no not yet assigned. 6 CT HB90/259 (Historic search copy). Page 3
TCS Trustees Limited. 7 In 2011, ownership was transferred to Alison Ruth Forsyth, Donaly Trustee Limited as trustees of Donelly Family Trust. The building continued to be known as a Medical and Dental Chambers until at least 2000 8. This was the same year the company, Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers Limited, was declared insolvent. It was struck off the companies register in July 2002. 9 The name that now adorns the building, Las Palmas, appears to date from businessmen Trevor Paul and Tony Hicks purchase of the building from the company in March 2002. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Architects: Harold Davies and Eric Phillips Builder: H.W Abbott Date of construction: 1936 Construction details: Reinforced concrete construction, plastered finish Description: The Medical and Dental Chambers is a single storey concrete building, situated on a corner site with its long elevation facing King Street North curving around the street to face Queen Street West. There is an entrance door in the corner of the building, but the main entrance is a strongly emphasized element near the middle of the long King Street elevation. The doors are framed by an Art Deco modestly and symmetrically decorated archway and inward curving walls. A triangular oriel window features centrally in the stepped archway above the doors. Stretching out to either side are the long horizontal forms of lightly decorated cornices and parapet, with curves flowing around the corners. The fenestration forms a strong horizontal band which curves at the corners, and the sashes are divided horizontally by the glazing bars. These features show a strong Moderne influence. Art deco influence is seen in the geometric detail of the stepped parapet and in banding around the parapet however it is the form of the entire building, with its setting, that shows its Art Deco origins. The symmetry is pronounced. The attention to the challenges of a corner site is elegantly achieved despite subsequent alterations to joinery. In addition the landscaping of the site reinforces the intentions of the design. A low garden wall with banding steps up, sweeps around to the doors, providing a continuation of the style of the building to the setting. Palm trees on either side of the door reinforce the symmetry and the position of the entrance. The symmetry of the building is reinforced on the interior with a long hall corridor leading from a central foyer. The circular foyer is a very special feature and is lit from roof lights in the ceiling. This foyer remains in totally authentic condition. The corridors on either side of the hall (which is fitted with roof lights) give access to rooms on both sides. The two sides of the building that do not face the street have the functional array and practicality of facades that do not present a public dignity. Nevertheless the roof, door and window arrangements retain the asymmetrical Art Deco style. 7 CT HB90/259 (Historic search copy). 8 Tenants were listing themselves as at the Medical and Dental Chambers until 1999/2000. Hawke s Bay Yellow Pages, Napier: Telecom Directories, 1999/2000. 9 Companies Office (see www.companies.govt.nz) - Company: 158862 Hastings Medical and Dental Chambers Ltd. Page 4
The concrete structure was plastered and raked in imitation of stonework; original textures and colours are now disguised somewhat by modern paint coatings. Corrugated iron over a simple timber framed roof is hidden behind the parapet. Floors are timber, supported on timber sub-floor framing and concrete piles. ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE: Element Strong horizontal emphasis in the banding of the windows, cornices and parapets, and broad smooth surfaces with rounded corners Entrance and day lighting of the interior Significance Architectural, historical importance Architectural, townscape importance MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES: NZHPT File OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: NZHPT Register: The Medical and Dental Chambers (Former) is a Category I Historic Place (Number 1077). District Plan Listing: Listed as a Category I historic place (H36 - Dental Chambers) and located within the Central Character Precinct in the Operative Hastings District Plan. In the Proposed Hastings District Plan, 2015, the building is listed as a Category I Heritage Item (HB48). This building is also located within the Central Character Precinct. New Zealand Historic Places Act 1993: This site has been identified as a potential archaeological site under Section 2 of the New Zealand Historic Places Act 1993. OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: Page 5
Photo 1: Exterior - King Street North main entrance. Note triangular oriel window (Imelda Bargas, 5 April 2007) Photo 2: Exterior - Looking towards Queen Street West. Note low garden wall with banding (Imelda Bargas, 5 April 2007) Page 6
ARCHIVE PLAN(S): Medical & Dental Chambers Cnr King & Queen St, Hastings by Davies, Garnett & Philips (1936) (TRIM Ref: 20969#003) Page 7
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